For 2013, Arlington will determine one horseplayer to be sent to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) in Las Vegas in January 2014 and eight fans to the 2014 Horse Player World Series (HWS) in Las Vegas in March 2014. The first handicapping contest is scheduled for Saturday, May 18.

As in past years, each individual contest this summer will be free-standing, meaning the top finisher each AHC Saturday in May through August will win a trip to Las Vegas for the 2014 HWS while the winner of the two-day contest in September will earn an expense-paid berth into the 2014 NHC.

The AHC contests closely replicate a day at the races. Each contestant funds a $100 contest wagering account ($600 wagering account - $300 each day for the NTRA qualifier) and tries to run up the biggest balance he or she can, just like every day at the races. The highest account balance on a contest wins a trip to Las Vegas for the designated contest. Each contest’s next two finishers win cash prizes.

The mechanics of the contest have also been simplified. The contestant signs in at the Members Services Center on the second floor of the grandstand on the day of the contest. There is no entry fee. The contestant exchanges $100 (or $300 each day for the NTRA contest) for a contest wagering card (limit, two entries). The card is a plastic voucher that is used for contest wagers and makes it easy to keep track all contest wagering. The balance on the contest wagering card always remains the property of the contestant.

The contest wagering card can only be used at self-service terminals. Since such terminals are available throughout Arlington, contest players can participate from anywhere in Arlington’s main building plus adjacent areas such as the paddock, park, terrace, or the like.

Each Arlington Handicapping Contest will be preceded by a handicapping seminar conducted by Scott McMannis. The seminars, which are free just like the contests, will be held in the Starting Gate Theatre located just north of the Members Services Center. The seminars will begin approximately one hour before first post, and McMannis will remain in the area to answer questions.